INDIANAPOLIS – Warsaw boys track coach Matt Thacker was just happy Friday night to finally get to see some of the talented members of his team get a chance to strut their stuff.

Several members of the Warsaw squad turned in strong performances in the Franklin Central Distance Showcase held at Franklin Central High School.

For the Tigers, who have very high expectations this season, it was nice to finally compete outdoors. Warsaw had its first three outdoor meets of the season, a pair at home and one at powerful Penn, cancelled due to the cold weather. The Tigers then had their Northern Lakes Conference opener on Thursday night at NorthWood postponed too.

“It was just exciting to be out on the track and competing,” said Thacker of Friday night despite it still being under cold conditions. “Our guys are just dying to get out there and compete. We know what we can do. We just haven’t had a chance to prove it yet. It’s been frustrating for all of, coaches and athletes.”

The outstanding trio of seniors Robert Murphy and Jake Poyner and junior Ellis Coon were strong Friday night. The trio, who led the WCHS cross country team to a fourth-place finish at the State Finals this past fall, all competed in the 1,600.

Murphy, who is going to run at Vincennes University, notched a personal-best effort of 4:19.73 to plea ninth. Poyner, who is bound for Wake Forest University, finished in eighth place in a time of 4:19.16. Coon was 12th with a time of 4:23.53.

“Robert really stepped it up and outperformed expectations,” said Thacker. “To have all three of them that close to the state standard this early and in the first time competing outdoors is a good thing.”

The Tigers also got an impressive performance from its 4 X 400 relay team. The foursome of senior Wyatt  Jones and juniors Gabe Furnivall, Chad Goon and Ryan Goon clocked in at 3:27. That time is sixth overall in the state standings.

“Those guys shaved two seconds off what they ran at the Indoor State Meet,” Thacker said.

Freshman Owen Glogovsky also turned in a strong effort as he clocked a personal-best time of 4:55 while competing in the Freshmen Mile.

Thacker says expectations for his team are still sky high despite the limited opportunities so far due to the awful cold and wet weather.

“Our expectations have never been higher and Friday night was evident of that the way our guys performed,” said Thacker. “We talk about our expectations.

“We’ve just tried to deal with the weather on a day-to-day basis and make the best of it and prepare the best we can. It’s definitely been tough and been a disadvantage for all of us. The reason you run track is to compete and our guys want to do that. It’s also tough on us as coaches since we have not had a chance to evaluate things under normal meet conditions so far.”

Warsaw hopes to stay busy this coming week, weather permitting. The Tigers are scheduled to compete at NorthWood on Monday with Wawasee in the NLC opener at 5 p.m. Warsaw then hosts NLC foe Northridge on Thursday at 5 p.m. and will take part in the annual Goshen Relays on Saturday.